Downtown Enhancement Grants

Twice a year, DECI Members located in the downtown boundaries are eligible to apply for the Downtown Enhancement Grant. The Downtown Enhancement Grant program seeks to support existing downtown businesses/organizations through a $2,000 semiannual grant to further enhance the downtown aesthetic and overall quality of goods, services, and the downtown experience. The $2,000 semiannual grant is currently available through 2027 but DECI hopes to continue this program for years to come. This program is made possible by the sponsorships of many long-time Downtown supporters. If you'd like to sponsor the Downtown Enhancement Grant please CLICK HERE.

 

Current Sponsors:

  • Jamf
  • Kristen and Donn Dexter
  • JB Systems
  • Jill and Tom Barland
  • Royal Credit Union
  • Kerry Kincaid
  • Ruder Ware
  • B~Framed Galleries
  • U.S. Bank
  • Nicolet National Bank
  • Sledow & Jackson, SC
  • Charter

Schedule

The application for the Winter 2024 begins Monday, January 1st and closes at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, January 31st.  The application for the Winter 2024 cycle can be found below.

Grant Overview

Below are grant cycle details. Please note that January and June cycles have different focus areas. January is focused on creative enhancement of business function/administration to grow your business. June is focused on projects that enhance the overall downtown experience. Please contact downtown@eauclairewi.gov if you have any questions on which grant cycle your project might best fit into.

Winter Cycle

  • Submissions for this grant cycle should be focused on creatively enhancing your business/organization by serving a new customer that may not be being served in Downtown Eau Claire already or serving them in a unique way. Whether it’s putting on an addition to a retail space, commissioning a new product or service, or further enhancing another area of the business, we want to see owners push the envelope by updating their space or creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers.

Summer Cycle

  • Submissions for this grant cycle should be focused on enhancing the overall downtown community or downtown experience. Consider a project that could impact the experience of someone visiting Downtown Eau Claire such as wayfinding, public art, a culturally enriching event at your organization, partnering with other community members, and more. Be creative!

 

Create a Downtown Enhancement Plan that Includes:

  • a business description
  • description of enhancement project as it relates to the current grant cycle described above
  • sources/uses or project budget including how grant funds will be spent and other potential sources of capital for the enhancement project
  • an implementation plan/timeline including how the applicant will report to DECI Board and staff on the completion of the project

 

After filling out the online application, please email downtown@eauclairewi.gov the Enhancement Plan (pdf is preferred) and any other additional supporting material. 

Any incomplete submissions will not be considered.

If you are unable to submit via the Google Form application, please email the following:

  • Applicant name
  • Additional Applicant Name (if applicable)
  • Business/Organization Name
  • Current Address
  • City
  • Best Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Brief Project Overview

Contact

DECI Members looking to apply or who have questions can contact DECI staff by phone at (715) 839-4914 or by email at downtown@eauclairewi.gov.